Election Day

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland Democrats are hoping to pick up a House seat in Tuesdays congressional elections.

Many analysts say western Maryland Republican Roscoe Bartlett is one of the most vulnerable incumbents in the nation after redistricting tilted his district in favor of the Democrats. Political newcomer John Delaney is seeking to unseat Bartlett, who was first elected to Congress since 1992. At age 86, Bartlett is the second oldest member of the House.

The other seven House districts - six held by Democrats and one by a Republican - are generally considered safe for the incumbents.

In the U.S. Senate, Democratic incumbent Ben Cardin is favored to win a second term over Republican Dan Bongino and independent Rob Sobhani (seh-BONN-ee). Polls in Maryland are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Same Sex Marriage

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland residents will decide whether to legalize same-sex marriage, a decision that could have far-reaching implications.

Gov. Martin O'Malley had signed gay marriage into law in March, but opponents collected enough signatures to force a ballot referendum in Tuesday's election.

The vote carries weighty consequences, especially because gay marriage has never succeeded at the ballot box. Thirty-two states have held votes on same-sex marriage since 1998, and all 32 have opposed it. Maryland is one of four states with referendums on the issue Tuesday. The others are Maine, Washington and Minnesota.

O'Malley, who strongly supported the law, has said it protects the religious beliefs of clergymen who oppose same-sex marriage. But it's proved a tough sell among some black clergy and their congregations.\

Other MD Ballot Measures

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland voters could become the first in the nation to decide by popular vote to allow illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition at public colleges.

The ballot question is one of several high-profile ballot measures before voters on Tuesday. Students would have to attend a Maryland high school for three years, and they or their parents would have to show they filed state income tax returns to qualify.

Maryland voters also will decide whether to expand gambling to include table games like blackjack and a casino near the nation's capital. They'll be voting after being bombarded by more than $80 million in advertisements.

Delaware Candidates

DOVER, Del. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Tom Carper is seeking to keep his undefeated campaign record intact in Tuesday's U.S. Senate election in Delaware.

Carper, who has never lost a race since being elected state treasurer in 1976, is one of several Democratic incumbents hoping to fend off Republican challengers on Tuesday. The Democratic field also includes Gov. Jack Markell, Lt. Gov. Matt Denn, Congressman John Carney Jr., and state insurance commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart.

The Republican challengers are Kevin Wade for U.S. Senate, Tom Kovach for U.S. House, Jeffrey Cragg for governor, Sher Valenzuela for lieutenant governor, and Ben Mobley for insurance commissioner. Voters also will decide a host of state legislative and local races.

Of Delaware's, 632,000 registered voters, more than 300,000 are Democrats. Republicans number about 182,000 voters, and there are some 150,000 unaffiliated voters.

Gov. Jack Markell, Lt. Gov. Matt Denn, Sen. Tom Carper and Congressman John Carney also have raised more money than their Republican challengers and are relying on Delaware's traditional Democratic power base to boost their re-election efforts.

GOP congressional candidate Tom Kovach says Delaware needs balance in its congressional delegation, which for the first time since 1941 has all three members from the same party.

Paul Clark Out Early?

New Castle County Executive Paul Clark could leave office early.

Delaware’s Attorney General’s Office is looking at whether the winner of today’s election should take office next week.

State Senator Karen Peterson says, when asked, the State Solicitor General Ian McConnel said he would go to court to remove Clark if he does not leave office by November 13th.

The Wilmington News Journal reports that there is an email from a top Clark official…that appears to indicate that the Clark administration is gearing up for leaving on November 13th if that is required.

Clark had planned to continue in office until January 1st.

He lost his bid for another term in a primary against Democrat Tom Gordon who is being challenged by Republican Mark Blake.